I have the NBA ticket and was watching his Wizards play the Magic. Looks like he is turning into the player the Mavs imagined he would be. He looks like the next Ben Wallace and an early candidate for most improved player for sure. What impressed me was how well he played the almighty Dwight. Etan, after his apparent fight with Haywood, also looks like the bonafide badass we needed back then. Its still nice to see him hopefully break out this season. As long as he is healthy, he is gonna be mean.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=261106019

Monster stat line.

MavKikiNYC

11-07-2006, 06:49 PM

LOL....Hair pulling? Funny. Just a couple of stiffs fighting it out in practice.

Sorry, but Thomas is a career stiff. He's a sixth-year player, not a second-year player, and his averages of 6ppg and 5 rpg suggest that he's about as good a ballplayer as he is an anti-war poet.

One game played on an overdose of testosterone and adrenaline does not a career make.

Look for him to re-immerse himself in oblivion for the rest of the season.

Report: Wizards Thomas, Haywood involved in fight

ESPN.com news services

Washington Wizards (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=was) centers Etan Thomas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3411) and Brendan Haywood (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3532) were involved in a fight Thursday at the team's arena, according to a report in The Washington Post.

Two team sources told the Post that Thomas approached Haywood over comments made by Haywood's agent, Andy Miller, who was critical of coach Eddie Jordan's decision to start Thomas over Haywood.

"My concern is that this is based on personal issues rather than professional ones," Miller said when the decision was made.

The report said Thomas began arguing with Haywood over the comments, then threw a punch. Haywood responded by slamming Thomas to the ground and tearing out two of his dreadlocks.

Teammates separated the two, and both refused comment after Monday night's loss to the Orlando Magic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl).

Thomas and Haywood were locked in a battle for the team's starting center position throughout the preseason, with Thomas getting the nod shortly before the regular-season opener.

No suspensions or fines had been announced, but the team was making an effort to keep the matter private, according to the report.

Both players were in uniform for Monday's game.

Thomas and Haywood have a history of altercations. Haywood was suspended one game last season after an incident with Thomas during practice.